Method of and apparatus for reading

ABSTRACT

The apparatus has an optical unit for optically reading the article barcode provided to the article. The controller sets operation standard as the reference for occurrence of barcode reading errors, on the basis of individual operator setting information depending on personal features (rhythm, habitual manner, etc.) of operators engaged in operation of reading barcodes. The controller also monitors whether the operation relating to the operator conforms to the operation standard or not.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus forreading to be used in POS (point of sales) system or distributioncontrol, and installed, for example, at a shop cashier counter foroptically reading article barcodes given to articles. More particularlythis invention relates to a method of and apparatus for reading that maybe controllable according to personal characteristics such as habits orrhythm of operators.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Recently, in POS system or distribution control, it is widelypracticed to read the barcodes attached to articles (“article barcode”)by using a barcode reader, and process and manage merchandise accountingsettlement.

[0003]FIG. 19 explains operation by using a conventional barcode reader20. The cashier counter 10 is installed in the shop, and this is thecounter where the customer 50 purchasing the article 70 in the shop paysfor the purchase amount of the article. The barcode reader 20 isinstalled for optically recording the article barcode 71 attached to thearticle 70.

[0004]FIG. 20 shows in detail the article barcode 71. The articlebarcode 71 is composed of white bars (having high reflectivity) forreflecting the beam (laser light) emitted from the barcode reader 20,and black bars (having low reflectivity) for absorbing the beamaccording to the arrangement specified in JAN (Japan Article Number)standard. Other barcode standards include UPC (Universal Product Code)and EAN (European Article Number).

[0005] The article barcode 71 expresses, from left to right in thediagram, characters of “49” corresponding to the country code, “02100”to the article manufacturer code, “03139” to the article item code, and“4” to the check digit code.

[0006] The casing 21 incorporates the reading window 22 and theoperation panel 23. The reading window 22 is made of reinforced glass orthe like, and has a function of guiding the beam (laser light) emittedfrom an optical unit (not shown) built in the casing 21 into an upperreading space, and a function of guiding the reflection beam reflectedby the article barcode 71 existing in the reading space into the opticalunit. The operation panel 23 comprises function keys, numeric keys, andothers, and used for various settings and inputs.

[0007] An electric configuration of the barcode reader 20 is explainedby referring to FIG. 21. In the diagram, same parts as in FIG. 19 areidentified with same reference numerals. In the barcode reader 20, anoptical unit 24 has a function of emitting beams B1, B2, and B3 of laserlight sequentially and continuously to the reading window 22.

[0008] The optical unit 24 also has a function of receiving reflectedbeam R1, R2, or R3 of any one of beams of B1, B2, and B3 reflected bythe article barcode 71 through the reading window 22, and issuing asreflected beam signal Sr1, Sr2, or Sr3.

[0009] More specifically, the optical unit 24 for realizing thisfunction comprises a laser light generator for generating laser light, apolygon mirror having a reflecting plane, a motor for rotating anddriving the polygon mirror, and a trihedral mirror for dividing thelaser light reflected by the polygon mirror into beams B1, B2, and B3,and reflecting toward the reading window 22. The optical unit 24 has areflected beam detector for receiving reflected beam R1, R2, or R3, andconverting into reflected beam signal Sr1, Sr2, or Sr3.

[0010] The barcode demodulator 25 executes demodulation process ofgenerating demodulated data corresponding to the characters of thearticle barcode 71, on the basis of the reflected beam signal Sr1, Sr2,or Sr3.

[0011] This barcode demodulator 25 comprises an A/D (Analog/Digital)converter for converting reflected beam signal Sr1, Sr2, or Sr3 intodigital data, and a bar width counter for counting the black bar widthand white bar width of black bars and white bars of the article barcode71.

[0012] The barcode demodulator 25 further comprises a demodulator fordemodulating the characters of the article barcode 71, and obtaining thedemodulation result as demodulated data, on the basis of thedemodulation table showing the correlative relation of the combinationof black bar width and white bar width and the characters, and thedemodulation table of the counting result of the bar width counter.

[0013] The controller 26 controls output of laser light in the opticalunit 24, controls payment on the basis of demodulated data from thebarcode demodulator 25, and controls communication with outside. Thespeaker 27 generates a reading sound upon completion of reading ofarticle barcode 71.

[0014] The setting unit 28 sets, for example, operation interval,reading time, double read ban time, volume and/or tone of reading sound,and other setting information (parameters) as default values. In thisbarcode reader 20, only the person in charge of the manufacturer of thebarcode reader 20 is allowed to set initially or set again the settinginformation.

[0015]FIG. 22A is a time chart showing the operation interval, readingtime, and double read ban time composing the setting information. In thediagram, operation interval T1 a is an effective time interval fromoperation for reading an article barcode given to a certain article (forexample, first article) (time t1 a) to operation for reading an articlebarcode given to other article (for example, second article) (time t3a). In this operation interval T1 a, only one operation is valid for onekind of article.

[0016] That is, in this operation interval T1 a, if two operations areattempted consecutively for two articles of different kinds, only thefirst operation is valid. The second operation is invalid. This isintended to prevent reading error due to mixing of reading results ofbarcodes given to two different articles.

[0017] Reading time T2 a is an effective time from start of reading of abarcode given to a certain article (for example, first article) (time t1a) until end of reading (time t2 a) In this operation interval T2 a,only one operation is valid for a same article.

[0018] That is, in this reading time T2 a, if two operations areattempted consecutively for one article, only the first operation isvalid. The second operation is invalid. This is intended to preventdouble reading of a barcode concerning a same article.

[0019] Double read ban time T3 a is a duration from end time of readingtime T2 a (time t2 a) till end time of operation interval T1 a (time t3a), and this is the time to ban double reading of a same article.Therefore, operation in the double read ban time T3 a is invalid.

[0020] Thus, in the conventional barcode reader 20, the operationinterval, reading time, double read ban time, and volume and/or tone areset by default as setting information. Therefore, the operator isrequested to operate according to the setting information.

[0021] The memory unit 29 stores the setting information set in thesetting unit 28 (operation interval, reading time, double read ban time,and volume and/or tone). The display unit 30 is a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube)or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), which displays the article name,subtotal amount and total amount to the customer. The interface 31 makescommunications with an external device. A bus 32 connects the parts.

[0022] The host device 33 is connected to the interface 31. In a shophaving many cashier counters, many barcode readers, not shown, areconnected to the host device 33.

[0023] The host device 33 is installed in the shop, and collects andprocesses POS data relating to sales, article stock information, andothers from the barcode reader 20. The host device 33 is connected tothe upper level device 34. In a company running a plurality of shops, aplurality of host devices (at a plurality of s-hops) are connected tothe upper level device 34. The upper level device 34 is to collect andprocess POS data of each shop.

[0024] In this configuration, when the customer 50 shown in FIG. 19 putsa shopping basket 60 containing a plurality of articles (not shown)including the article 70 on a cashier counter 10, the operator 40 picksup one article from the shopping basket 60, moves it from right to leftin the drawing in the reading space above the reading window 22 (thisoperation is scanning), and puts it into a shopping basket 80 at theleft side, and this operation is repeated as many times as the number ofarticles.

[0025] While the final article 70 taken out from the shopping basket 60is being passed through the reading space above the reading window 22shown in FIG. 21, at a certain time, one of beams B1, B2, and B3sequentially emitted from the optical unit 24 through the reading window22, for example, beam B1 is reflected by the article barcode 71. As aresult, reflected beam R1 corresponding to beam B1 is received in theoptical unit 24 through the reading window 22. From this optical unit24, reflected beam signal Sr1 corresponding to reflected beam R1 isissued to the barcode demodulator 25 through the bus 32.

[0026] In the barcode modulator 25, the characters (“4902100031394”) ofthe article barcode 71 (see FIG. 20) are demodulated according to thereflected beam signal Sr1, and the demodulated data is issued to thecontroller 26. The controller 26, according to the demodulated data,executes processing for displaying the price of the article 70 or totalamount in the display unit 30.

[0027] In the operation by the operator 40, the operation interval T1 a,reading time T2 a, and double read ban time T3 a shown in FIG. 22A areapplied.

[0028] Therefore, if article barcodes of different kinds are read twicewithin the operation interval T1 a, or a barcode of a same article isread twice within the reading time T2, or a barcode is read within thedouble read ban time T3 a, it results in a reading error, and operationmust be done again.

[0029] As explained by referring to FIG. 22A, in the conventionalbarcode reader 20, the operation interval, reading time, and double readban time are fixed values and set as the setting information about theoperation, and after setting, if operation is not done according to thesetting information, it results in a reading error.

[0030] Therefore, in an existing shop, a new operator must be trainedand educated to get accustomed to the rhythm of the fixed operationconforming to the setting information, and it has been attempted tolower the reading error rate and raise the operation efficiency. In theconventional barcode reader 20, the operator must follow the rhythm ofthe operation set uniformly at the apparatus side.

[0031] However, individual operators differ in the sense of rhythm,habitual manner in operation, and personal features, and there is anindividual difference in the results of training and education.

[0032] That is, an operator having a good sense of rhythm is quick toget accustomed to the rhythm of the barcode reader 20 side, and tends tobe lower in reading error rate. By contrast, an operator lacking a senseof rhythm or having a habitual manner causing reading error tends to behigher in reading error rate. Moreover, in the case of an operator highin reading error rate, the customer is forced to wait while repeatingthe operation, and the quality of customer service is lowered.

[0033] The problem is described by referring to FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B.FIG. 22A is a time chart showing an ideal setting information (operationinterval T1 a, reading time T2 a, and double read ban time T3 a) suitedto the personal features of Mr. Yamada (an operator).

[0034]FIG. 22B is a time chart showing an ideal setting information(operation interval T1 b, reading time T2 b, and double read ban time T3b) suited to the personal features of Mr. Suzuki (other operator). Theoperation interval T1 b, reading time T2 b, and double read ban time T3b correspond to the operation interval T1 a, reading time T2 a, anddouble read ban time T3 a shown in FIG. 22A.

[0035] The operation interval T1 b, reading time T2 b, and double readban time T3 b are shorter than the operation interval T1 a, reading timeT2 a, and double read ban time T3 a shown in FIG. 22A. Therefore, bynature, Mr. Suzuki is quicker in action than Mr. Yamada, and is hencehigher in efficiency.

[0036] However, when Mr. Suzuki operates in the environments by thedefault setting information of the barcode reader 20 suited to Mr.Yamada shown in FIG. 22A, since reading of second article starts (timet3 b, FIG. 22B) within the double read ban time T3 a (time t2 a to timet3 a) shown in FIG. 22A, a reading error occurs. In such environments,the number of articles being read per unit time is decreased, andcontrary to the actual ability, the operation efficiency of Mr. Suzukiis lowered.

[0037] Also in the individual barcode reader 20, the volume and/or toneof the reading sound is fixed as setting information. Therefore, everyoperator hears the reading sound of same volume and/or tone at everyoperation whether consciously or not.

[0038] Hitherto, since whether sound is good or bad depends on personalpreference, reading sound of same volume and/or tone may comfortable toone operator, but may be unpleasant for other operator.

[0039] If operation is continued in an unpleasant atmosphere, theoperator is stressed, and the working efficiency which is known to beclosely related with the stress is lowered, the rhythm of operation isdisturbed, and reading errors may occur frequently.

[0040] In the conventional barcode reader 20, operator's personalfeatures such rhythm, habitual manner and preference are ignored, andthe operator is forced to get accustomed to the fixed operation rhythmand reading sound of the apparatus side, and it may lead to increase ofreading error rate and decline of operation efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0041] It is an object of this invention to provide the method of andapparatus for reading capable of lowering the code reading error rateand increasing the efficiency.

[0042] The apparatus according to one aspect of this invention comprisesa reading unit which reads a code given to a commodity; an individualoperator setting information collecting unit which collects individualoperator setting information depending on personal features of operatorsengaged in operation for reading the code; a setting unit which setsoperation standard on the basis of the individual operator settinginformation corresponding to a specific operator before the operation;and a monitoring unit which monitors whether the operation relating tothe operator conforms to the operation standard or not.

[0043] The apparatus according to another aspect of this inventioncomprises a reading unit which reads a code given to a commodity byusing at least one beam of the plurality of beams; and a frequent beamspecifying unit which specifies the most frequently used beam of theplurality of beams owing to the personal features of the operator in theoperation for reading the code. The reading unit reads the code by usingthe specified beam preferentially.

[0044] The apparatus according to still another aspect of this inventioncomprises a reading unit which reads pertinent individual operatorsetting information from a portable recording medium recordingindividual operator setting information depending on personal featuresof operators engaged in operation for reading the code; a setting unitwhich sets operation standard on the basis of the read individualoperator setting information; and a processing unit which processes thecode reading on the basis of the set operation standard.

[0045] The apparatus according to still another aspect of this inventioncomprises a storing unit which stores individual operator settinginformation depending on personal features of operators engaged inoperation for reading the code; a setting unit which sets operationstandard on the basis of the stored individual operator settinginformation; and a processing unit which processes the code reading onthe basis of the set operation standard.

[0046] The apparatus according to still another aspect of this inventioncomprises a collecting unit which collects individual operator settinginformation depending on personal features of operators engaged inoperation for reading the code; a setting unit which sets operationstandard on the basis of the collected individual operator settinginformation; and a processing unit which processes the code reading onthe basis of the set operation standard.

[0047] The method according to still another aspect of this inventioncomprises the steps of reading a code given to a commodity; collectingindividual operator setting information depending on personal featuresof operators engaged in operation for reading the code; settingoperation standard on the basis of the individual operator settinginformation corresponding to a specific operator before the operation;and monitoring whether the operation relating to the operator conformsto the operation standard or not.

[0048] The method according to still another aspect of this inventioncomprises the steps of reading a code given to a commodity by using atleast one beam of the plurality of beams; and specifying the mostfrequently used beam of the plurality of beams owing to the personalfeatures of the operator in the operation for reading the code. The codeis read in the reading step by using the specified beam preferentially.

[0049] Other objects and features of this invention will become apparentfrom the following description with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of afirst embodiment of the invention;

[0051]FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of opticalunit 200 in barcode reader 100 shown in FIG. 1;

[0052]FIG. 3 is a plan of optical unit 200 shown in FIG. 2;

[0053]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of electric configuration of the firstembodiment;

[0054]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of default settinginformation database 700 in the first embodiment;

[0055]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of individual operatorsetting information database 800 in the first embodiment;

[0056]FIG. 7 is a flowchart explaining the operation in the firstembodiment;

[0057]FIG. 8 is a flowchart explaining the ordinary mode process shownin FIG. 7 and FIG. 18;

[0058]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of volume and/or tonesetting screen 900 in the first embodiment;

[0059]FIG. 10 is a block diagram of electric configuration of a secondembodiment of the invention;

[0060]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of individual operatorsetting information database 1100 in the second embodiment;

[0061]FIG. 12 is a flowchart explaining the operation in the secondembodiment;

[0062]FIG. 13 is a flowchart explaining the ordinary mode process shownin FIG. 12;

[0063]FIG. 14 is a plan of optical unit 1200 in a third embodiment ofthe invention;

[0064]FIG. 15 is a block diagram of electric configuration of the thirdembodiment;

[0065]FIG. 16 is a diagram showing beam boundary signals Ss1 to Ss3 andreflected beam signals Sr1 to Sr3 shown in FIG. 15;

[0066]FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of individual operatorsetting information database 1400 in the third embodiment;

[0067]FIG. 18 is a flowchart explaining the operation in the thirdembodiment;

[0068]FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of operation by using aconventional barcode reader 20;

[0069]FIG. 20 is a diagram showing article barcode 19 shown in FIG. 19;

[0070]FIG. 21 is a block diagram of electric configuration of thebarcode reader 20 shown in FIG. 19; and

[0071]FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B are time charts for explaining the settinginformation and problems in the barcode reader 20 shown in FIG. 21.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0072] Embodiments of the method of and apparatus for reading accordingto the present invention will be explained in detail below.

[0073]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of afirst embodiment of the invention. The barcode reader 100 is installedat a cashier counter (not shown) in a shop, and is an apparatus foroptically reading, for example, the article barcode 71 attached to thearticle 70. The article barcode 71 is same as the one shown in FIG. 20.

[0074] The reading window 103 is provided on the reading panel 102 ofthe casing 101. The reading window 103 is made of reinforced glass orthe like, and has a function of guiding beams B1, B2, and B3 in threedirections continuously emitted at specific time intervals from anoptical unit 200 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 incorporated in the casing101, upward to a reading space. The reading window 103 also has afunction of guiding reflected beam R1, R2, or R3 reflected by thearticle barcode 71 existing in the reading space, toward the opticalunit 200.

[0075] When reading the article barcode 71 of the article 70, theoperator moves the article barcode 71 in the reading space above thereading window 103, for example, from left to right in the drawing. Thecasing 101 further includes an operation panel 104. This operation panel104 has various function keys, numeric keys and others, and is used invarious settings and inputs.

[0076] The configuration of the optical unit 200 incorporated in thecasing 101 is explained by referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. FIG. 2 is aside view showing a schematic configuration of the optical unit 200 inthe barcode reader 100 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a plan ofconfiguration of the optical unit 200 shown in FIG. 2. In thesedrawings, the same parts as in FIG. 1 are identified with same referencenumerals. In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, lens parts are not shown in order tosimplify the explanation.

[0077] In the optical unit 200 shown in FIG. 2, a laser generator 201 isa laser diode or the like, and generates laser light L1. A polygonmirror 202 is a polygon having the plurality of reflection planes (seeFIG. 3), and reflects the laser light L1 from the laser generator 201 aslaser light L2. This laser light L2 is varied in the angle of reflectionplanes as the polygon mirror 202 is rotated and driven by a motor 203 asshown in FIG. 3, and is scanned within a horizontal plane.

[0078] A trihedral mirror 204 is composed of three mirrors 206 ₁ to 206₃, for example, arranged so as to be adjacent to each other at aspecified angle within a horizontal plane as shown in FIG. 3. Thetrihedral mirror 204 reflects the laser light L2 scanned by the polygonmirror 202 in the horizontal plane toward the reading window 103 (seeFIG. 1) consecutively and sequentially in three directions as beams B1,B2, and B3.

[0079] Back to FIG. 2, a reflected beam detector 205 receives reflectedbeam R1, R2, or R3 reflected by the article barcode 71 out of the beamsB1, B2, and B3, and converts into reflected beam signal Sr1, Sr2, orSr3. The reflected beam detector 205 is, for example, a photo diode.

[0080]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of electric configuration of the firstembodiment of the invention. In the diagram, same parts as shown in FIG.1 to FIG. 3 are identified with same reference numerals, and detaileddescription is omitted. In the barcode reader 100 shown in the diagram,the optical unit 200, having the parts shown in FIG. 2, functions toemit beams B1, B2, and B3 in three directions as laser light,sequentially and consecutively toward the reading window 103 at specifictime intervals.

[0081] The optical unit 200 also has a function of receiving reflectedbeam R1, R2, or R3 reflected by the article barcode 71 out of the beamsB1, B2, and B3 through the reading window 103, and issuing as reflectedbeam signal Sr1, Sr2, or Sr3.

[0082] A barcode demodulator 110 produces demodulated data correspondingto the characters of the article barcode 71 on the basis of thereflected beam signal Sr1, Sr2, or Sr3.

[0083] The barcode demodulator 110, same as the barcode demodulator 25(see FIG. 21), comprises an A/D converter for converting reflected beamsignal Sr1, Sr2, or Sr3 into digital data, and a bar width counter forcounting the black bar width and white bar width of black bars and whitebars of the article barcode 71 according to the digital data.

[0084] The barcode demodulator 110 further comprises a demodulationtable showing corresponding relation of the combination of black barwidth and white bar width and the characters, and a demodulator fordemodulating the characters of the article barcode 71 on the basis ofthe count results of bar width counter and modulation table, andproducing the demodulation result as demodulated data.

[0085] A controller 111 controls output of laser light L1 in the lasergenerator 201 (see FIG. 2), controls payment according to demodulateddata from the barcode demodulator 110, and controls communications withoutside. A speaker 112 generates a reading sound upon completion ofreading of the article barcode 71.

[0086] A setting unit 113 is for setting the operation interval, readingtime, double read ban time, volume and/or tone of reading sound, andother setting information as explained in FIG. 22A (hereinafter calleddefault setting information) as default values as operation standard.The operation standard is the reference for barcode reading error. Inthe barcode reader 100, herein, only the person in charge of themanufacturer of the barcode reader 100 is authorized to set initially orset again the default setting information.

[0087] A memory unit 114 stores a default setting information database700 (see FIG. 5), an individual operator setting information database800 (see FIG. 6), and others. The default setting information database700 shown in FIG. 5 is a database for storing the default settinginformation set in the setting unit 113 (operation interval, readingtime, double read ban time, and volume and/or tone of reading sound).

[0088] Specifically, the default setting information database 700 hasfields fixed by the person in charge of the manufacturer as defaultvalues in the barcode reader 100, such as fields for “operationinterval”, “reading time”, “double read ban time”, “volume”, and “tone”.

[0089] The “operation interval” corresponds to the operation interval T1a shown in FIG. 22A, and is the information about an effective timeinterval from operation for reading an article barcode given to acertain article (for example, first article) (time t1 a) to operationfor reading an article barcode given to other article (for example,second article) (time t3 a).

[0090] The “reading time” corresponds to reading time T2 a shown in FIG.22A, and is the information about an effective time from start ofreading of a barcode given to a certain article (for example, firstarticle) (time t1 a) until end of reading (time t2 a).

[0091] The “double read ban time” corresponds to double read ban time T3a shown in FIG. 22A, and is the information about a duration from endtime of reading time T2 a (time t2 a) till end time of operationinterval T1 a (time t3 a), and in other words this is the informationabout the time to ban double reading of a same article.

[0092] The “volume” is the information about the volume of reading soundof barcode. The “volume” is set as default value by the person in chargeof the manufacture in any one of, for example, five ranks from 1 to 5(from small value to large volume). The “tone” is the information aboutthe tone of reading sound of barcode. The “tone” is set as default valueby the person in charge of the manufacture in any one of, for example,five ranks from A to E (from stiff tone to soft tone).

[0093] The individual operator setting information database 800 shown inFIG. 6 is a database for storing setting information corresponding topersonal features of operator such as rhythm, habitual manner andpreference (hereinafter called individual operator setting information).The individual operator setting information is the average of measuredvalues when the operator actually operates to read the barcode theplurality of times. Therefore, the individual operator settinginformation differs in each operator.

[0094] The individual operator setting information database 800 hasfields for “operator ID”, “operator name”, “operation interval”,“reading time”, “double read ban time”, “tone”, and “volume”.

[0095] The “operator ID” is the information for identifying theoperator. The “operator name” is the information about the name of theoperator. The “operation interval” corresponds to the operation intervalT1 a shown in FIG. 22A. Herein, however, the “operation interval” is theinformation about the average of results of the plurality ofmeasurements of the effective time interval from operation about onearticle until operation about next article.

[0096] The “reading time” corresponds to the reading time T2 a shown inFIG. 22A. Herein, however, the “reading time” is the information aboutthe average of results of the plurality of measurements of the effectivetime from start to end of reading of an article barcode given to acertain article.

[0097] The “double read ban time” corresponds to the double read bantime T3 a shown in FIG. 22A. Herein, however, the “double read ban time”is the information about the time from the end time of the “readingtime” (average) to end time of the “operation interval” (average).

[0098] The “volume” is synonymous with the “volume” of the defaultsetting information database 700 (see FIG. 5). However, the differenceis that the “volume” is set by the operator. The “tone” is synonymouswith the “tone” of the default setting information database 700 (seeFIG. 5). However, the difference is that the “tone” is set by theoperator.

[0099] An IC card reader/writer 115 has a function of writinginformation into an IC card 400, and a function of reading informationfrom the IC card 400. The IC card 400 is a plastic card of a specifiedsize (54 mm×86 mm×0.2 to 3 mm), incorporating an IC (Integrated Circuit)chip composing microcomputer a memories, and functions as a portablerecording medium.

[0100] The IC card 400 has a terminal for connection with the IC cardreader/writer 115. The microcomputer controls the interface with the ICcard reader/writer 115 connected to the terminal, and controls theaccess to the memory. The IC card 400 is carried by the operator. In thefirst embodiment, the individual operator setting information (see FIG.6) corresponding to the operator is written into the IC card 400.

[0101] A display unit 116 is CRT, LCD or the like, and displays thearticle name, subtotal, and total amount to the customer. An interface117 is a communication interface with an external device. A bus 118connects the parts.

[0102] A host device 500 is connected to the interface 117. In a shopwhere a plurality of cashier counters are installed, a plurality ofbarcode readers not shown are connected to the host device 500.

[0103] The host device 500 is installed in the shop, and is an apparatusfor collecting and processing the POS data about sales and article stockinformation from the barcode reader 100. A memory device 501 is disposedin the host device 500, and stores POS data and various information. Aninput device 502 is keyboard, mouse and others used in various inputs,and is connected to the host device 500. A display device 503 is a CRT,LCD or the like for displaying various information, and is connected tothe host device 500.

[0104] The host device 500 is connected to the upper level device 600.In a company running a plurality of shops, a plurality of host devices(at a plurality of shops) are connected to the upper level device 600.The upper level device 600 is to collect and process POS data of eachshop. A memory unit 601 is provided in the upper level device 600, andstores POS data and various information.

[0105] An employee card 300 is similar to an identification cardprinting an operator barcode 301 corresponding to the “operator ID” (seeFIG. 6), and is attached to the breast pocket or the like of theoperator by means of a safety pin.

[0106] The operation of the first embodiment is explained whilereferring to the flowcharts shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 and the diagramin FIG. 9. In the following operation, there are two modes, that is,individual operator setting information collecting mode, and ordinarymode. The individual operator setting information collecting mode is amode for collecting the individual operator setting information (seeFIG. 6), on the basis of the measured values of actual operation.

[0107] The ordinary mode is a mode for setting the operation standardused actually in daily transactions on the basis of either theindividual operator setting information or default information (see FIG.5).

[0108] First, the individual operator setting information collectingmode is explained. At step SA1 shown in FIG. 7, the controller 111 shownin FIG. 4 judges if the individual operator setting informationcollecting command is entered from the operation panel 104 or not. Thisindividual operator setting information collecting command is a commandfor instructing mode change from the ordinary mode to the individualoperator setting information collecting mode.

[0109] Herein, in the case of collecting the individual operator settinginformation about Mr. Yamada as the operator (see FIG. 22A), theindividual operator setting information collecting command is enteredfrom the operation panel 104. As a result, the controller 111 judges“Yes” at step SA1.

[0110] At step SA3, the controller 111 judges if the operator barcode301 is read or not, and in this case it is judged “No”. The operatorbarcode 301 is printed in the employee card 300 possessed by Mr. Yamada.At step SA4, the controller 111 judges if the operator ID correspondingto the operator is entered from the operation panel 104 or not, and itis judged “No” herein and the process goes to step SA3 to judge again.

[0111] When the operator barcode 301 is passed over the reading panel102, the reflected beam, for example, R1 reflected from the operatorbarcode 301 is received in the reflected beam detector 205 (see FIG. 2)of the optical unit 200.

[0112] From the reflected beam detector 205, reflected beam signal Sr1corresponding to the reflected beam R1 is issued to the barcodedemodulator 110 through the bus 118. From the barcode demodulator 110,demodulated data is issued to the controller 111 through the bus 118. Asa result, the controller 111 judges “Yes” at step SA3, and the processgoes to step SA5.

[0113] When the operator ID corresponding to Mr. Yamada (for example,001) is entered from the operation panel 104, the controller 111 judges“Yes” at step SA4 and the process goes to step SA5. At step SA5, first,the controller 111 acquires the information about the operator ID fromthe correspondence table (not shown) of operator ID and operator name.

[0114] Consequently, the controller 111 stores the information ofoperator ID (001 in this case) and operator name (Taro Yamada) in theindividual operator setting information database 800 shown in FIG. 6. Atstep SA6, the controller 111 judges if the article barcode is read ornot, and it is judged “No” in this case. The article barcode is given toeach one of the plurality of articles specially prepared for collectionof individual operator setting information.

[0115] Hereinafter, the operator (Mr. Yamada) repeats the operation ofscanning the barcodes of the plurality of articles the plurality oftimes by the own rhythm. That is, when the first article is passed overthe reading panel 102 by the operator, any one of the reflected beamsR1, R2, and R3 reflected by the article barcode of the article isreceived in the reflected beam detector 205 (see FIG. 2) of the opticalunit 200. Then, by the process mentioned above, the modulated data isissued from the barcode demodulator 110 into the controller 111.

[0116] In consequence, the controller 111 judges “Yes” at step SA6. Atstep SA7, the controller 111 stores the information about the readingtime about this article and the operation interval (the reading intervalbetween the preceding article barcode and the present article barcode)in a memory (not shown). In the case of the first article, however,since the information of operation interval cannot be obtained, only thereading time is held in the memory.

[0117] At step SA8, the controller 111 judges if an end command isentered from the operation panel 104 is not. The end command is acommand for transferring the mode from the individual mode settinginformation collecting mode to the ordinary mode.

[0118] In this case, the controller 111 judges “No” at step SA8. At stepSA9, the controller 111 judges if the next article barcode is read ornot, and it is judged “No” in this case, and this judgement is repeated.When the next article barcode is read, the controller 111 judges “Yes”at step SA9.

[0119] At step SA10, same as at step SA7, the controller 111 stores theinformation about the reading time about this article and the operationinterval (the reading interval between the preceding article barcode andthe present article barcode) in the memory (not shown).

[0120] Hereinafter, the same operation is repeated for the remainingarticles, and steps SA6 to SA10 are repeated. As a result, theinformation about the plurality of reading times and operation intervalsis held as measured values in the memory (not shown).

[0121] When an end command is entered from the operation panel 104, thecontroller 111 judges “Yes” at step SA8. At step SA11, the controller111 averages the information of the plurality of operation intervalsheld in the memory (not shown), and calculates the average operationinterval.

[0122] At step SA12, the controller 111 averages the information of theplurality of reading times held in the memory (not shown), andcalculates the average reading time. At step SA13, the controller 111calculates the difference between the average operation intervalcalculated at step SA11 and the average reading time calculated at stepSA12, and obtains the average double read ban time.

[0123] At step SA14, the controller 111 stores the information ofaverage operation interval, average reading time, and average doubleread ban time calculated at steps SA11 to SA13 in the records(“operation interval”, “reading time”, and “double read ban time”)corresponding to the operator ID=001 and operator name =Taro Yamada inthe individual operator setting information database 800 shown in FIG.6.

[0124] At step SA15, the controller 111 displays a volume and/or tonesetting screen 900 shown in FIG. 9 in the operation panel 104. Thisvolume and/or tone setting screen 900 is a screen used by the operatorfor setting the volume and tone of the reading sound suited to thepreference of the operator. The volume and/or tone setting screen 900displays a volume selection button group 901 for selecting one of volumelevels 1 to 5, a tone selection button group 902 for selecting one tonefrom A to E, and a set button 903.

[0125] At step SA16, the controller 111 judges if the set button 903 ispressed or not, and it is judged “No” in this case, and the samejudgement is repeated. The operator (Mr. Yamada in this case) selectsvolume “5” by the volume selection button group 901 and tone “A” by thetone selection button group 902 according to the own preference. Whenthe operator presses the set button 903, the controller 111 judges “Yes”at step SA16.

[0126] At step SA17, the controller 111 stores the information of volume“5” and tone “A” selected in the volume and/or tone setting screen 900in the records (“volume” and “tone”) corresponding to the operatorID=001 and operator name=Taro Yamada in the individual operator settinginformation database 800 shown in FIG. 6.

[0127] At step SA18, the controller 111 judges if an IC card is insertedin the IC card reader/writer 115 or not, and if not inserted, it isjudged “No”, and the process goes to step SA1 to judge again. When theIC card 400 possessed by Mr. Yamada, the operator, is inserted in the ICcard reader/writer 115, the controller 111 judges “Yes” at step SA18.

[0128] At step SA19, the controller 111 controls the IC cardreader/writer 115, and writes the information (“operator ID” to “tone”)of the first record of the individual operator setting informationdatabase 800 shown in FIG. 6, in the IC card 400 as the individualoperator setting information about Mr. Yamada, and judges at step SA1.Consequently, Mr. Yamada removes the IC card 400 from the IC cardreader/writer 115. This IC card 400 is used in actual operation.

[0129] Concerning Mr. Suzuki, other operator, same as in the case of Mr.Yamada, by way of steps SA1, and SA3 to SA19, the individual operatorsetting information is collected, and the individual operator settinginformation is stored (written) into the individual operator settinginformation database 800 (the IC card possessed by Mr. Suzuki). The sameoperation is done for all other operators. As clear from FIG. 6, in theindividual operator setting information database 800, the individualoperator setting information corresponding to personal features of Mr.Yamada and Mr. Suzuki is stored.

[0130] The ordinary mode is explained. At step SA1 shown in FIG. 7, thecontroller 111 shown in FIG. 4 judges if the individual operationsetting information collecting command is entered from the operationpanel 104 or not, and it is judged “No” in this case. At step SA2, thecontroller 111 executes the ordinary mode processing.

[0131] That is, at step SB1 shown in FIG. 8, the controller 111 judgesif the operator barcode corresponding to the operator for actualoperation is read or not. It is judged “No” in this case. At step SB2,the controller 111 judges if the operator ID corresponding to theoperator is entered from the operation panel 104 or not, and it isjudged “No” in this case to go back to step SB1 to judge again.

[0132] Supposing Mr. Yamada to be engaged in the operation of thebarcode reader 100 as the operator, Mr. Yamada scans the operatorbarcode 301 shown in FIG. 4 to be read by the barcode reader 100. As aresult, the controller 111 judges “Yes” at step SB1, and executes theprocess at step SB3.

[0133] In other method, when Mr. Yamada enters the operator ID from theoperation panel 104, the controller 111 judges “Yes” at step SB2, andexecutes the process at step SB3. At step SB3, the controller 111 judgesif the IC card of the operator is inserted in the IC card reader/writer115 or not.

[0134] When Mr. Yamada inserts the own IC card 400 into the IC cardreader/writer 115, the controller 111 judges “Yes” at step SB3. At stepSB4, the controller 111 compares the operator ID corresponding to theoperator barcode read at step SB1 (or the operator ID entered at stepSB2) and the operator ID read from the IC card 400, and executes theoperator ID checking process.

[0135] At step SB5, the controller 111 judges if the ID input at stepSB4 is authentic or not, that is, if the IC card 400 is the onepossessed by the operator or not, and if judged “No”, the processreturns to the main routine shown in FIG. 7.

[0136] In this case, the controller 111 judges “Yes” at step SB5. Atstep SB6, the controller 111 reads the individual operator settinginformation (“operation interval”=1.23 sec, “reading time”=0.6 sec,“double read ban time”=0.63 sec, “volume”=5, “tone”=A; see FIG. 6) fromthe IC card 400. This individual operator setting information is theinformation written in the IC card 400 at step SA19 shown in FIG. 7.

[0137] At step SB7, the controller 111 stores the individual operatorsetting information read at step SB6 into a memory (not shown), and setsthe operation standard. As a result, the controller 111 operates in thestate corresponding to the personal features (rhythm, etc.) of Mr.Yamada on the basis of the operation standard (individual operatorsetting information). Therefore, when Mr. Yamada operates in this state,as compared with the case of default setting information (see FIG. 5),the reading apparatus can be operated according to the own rhythm andwith the preferred reading sound, so that reading errors of articlebarcodes are decreased significantly.

[0138] If judged “No” at step SB3, then at step SB8, the controller 111reads the default setting information (“operation interval”, 1.5 sec,“reading time”=0.75 sec, “double read ban time”=0.75 sec, “volume”=3,“tone”=C; see FIG. 5) from the default setting information database 700(see FIG. 5).

[0139] At step SB7, the controller 111 stores the default settinginformation read at step SB8 in the memory (not shown) and sets theoperation standard. As a result, the controller 111 operates accordingto the operation standard (default setting information). In this state,supposing Mr. Yamada operates, as compared with the case of individualoperation setting information (see FIG. 6), due to forced operation inunfavorable conditions such as different rhythm and unpleasant readingsound, reading errors of article barcodes occur frequently.

[0140] As explained herein, according to the first embodiment, bycollecting the individual operator setting information (operationinterval, reading time, double read ban time, volume, tone; see FIG. 6)depending on personal features (rhythm, habitual manner, etc.) of theoperator in the operation, since it is designed to monitor (check forerrors) whether the operation conforms to the operation standard setaccording to the individual operator setting information correspondingto the operator before starting the operation, the operation standard issatisfied by the operation intrinsic to the specific operator, and thebarcode reading error rate is lowered and the operation efficiency israised.

[0141] Also according to the first embodiment, since the operationstandard is set according to the individual operator setting information(see FIG. 6) or default setting information (see FIG. 5), chances ofuser's choice are increased, and user's satisfaction can be enhanced.

[0142] Also according to the first embodiment, before operation, sincethe individual operator setting information written in the IC card 400is read and the operation standard is set on the basis of thisindividual operator setting information, the convenience of operatorscan be enhanced, for example, when operating a plurality of barcodereaders by shifting every day.

[0143] Also according to the first embodiment, as explained by referringto FIG. 9, since the operator is allowed to set the volume and toneinformation of reading sound as desired, the operator does not feelunpleasant when hearing the reading out during operation, and theefficiency of operation is enhanced, thereby contributing to reductionof reading error rate of barcodes.

[0144] In the first embodiment uses the operator barcode 301 foridentifying the operator. However, the operator's fingerprint may beused for identifying the operator. This case is explained as a secondembodiment.

[0145]FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the second embodiment of theinvention. In the diagram, same parts as shown in FIG. 4 are identifiedwith same reference numerals. In the diagram, the barcode reader 100 andcontroller 111 shown in FIG. 4 are replaced by barcode reader 1000 andcontroller 1001.

[0146] In FIG. 10, moreover, a fingerprint checker 1002 and afingerprint reader 1003 are newly provided. In the second embodiment,further, in the memory unit 114, instead of the individual operatorsetting information database 800 shown in FIG. 6, an individual operatorsetting information database 1100 shown in FIG. 11 is stored.

[0147] The controller 1001, same as the controller 111 (see FIG. 4),controls output of laser light L1 in the laser generator 201 (see FIG.2), controls payment according to demodulated data from the barcodedemodulator 110, and controls communications with outside. Further, thecontroller 1001 also checks the fingerprint as described later.

[0148] The individual operator setting information database 1100 shownin FIG. 11 is a database for storing the individual operator settinginformation corresponding to personal features of the operator such asthe rhythm, habitual manner, preference, and fingerprint file. Theindividual operator setting information database 1100 has fields for“operator ID”, “operator name”, “operation interval”, “reading time”,“double read ban time”, “volume”, “tone”, “fingerprint file”, etc.

[0149] The “operator name”, “operation interval”, “reading time”,“double read ban time”, “volume”, and “tone” are synonymous with the“operator name”, “operation interval”, “reading time”, “double read bantime”, “volume”, and “tone” of the individual operator settinginformation database 800 shown in FIG. 6. The “fingerprint file” is theinformation about the image file of fingerprints of operators.

[0150] The fingerprint file is used for identifying the operator. In thesecond embodiment, the information of “operator ID”, “operator name”,and “fingerprint file” is already stored.

[0151] The fingerprint reader 1003 is an apparatus for reading theoperator's fingerprint as image information. The fingerprint checker1002 compares the fingerprint image read by the fingerprint reader 1003and the fingerprint image corresponding to the fingerprint file in theindividual operator setting information database 1100 (see FIG. 11).

[0152] The operation of the second embodiment (individual operatorsetting information collecting mode and ordinary mode) is explainedbelow while referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13.

[0153] The individual operator setting information collecting mode isexplained in the first place. When collecting the individual operatorsetting information about Mr. Yamada (see FIG. 22A) as the operator, theindividual operator setting information collecting command is enteredfrom the operation panel 104. As a result, the controller 1001 shown inFIG. 10 judges “Yes” at step SC1 shown in FIG. 12.

[0154] At step SC3, the fingerprint checker 1002 judges if thefingerprint reader 1003 has read the operator's fingerprint or not, andit is judged “No” in this case, and the same judgement is repeated. WhenMr. Yamada puts his finger on the fingerprint reader 1003, thefingerprint is read by the fingerprint reader 1003, and the informationof the fingerprint image is put into the fingerprint checker 1002. As aresult, the fingerprint checker 1002 judges “Yes” at step SC3.

[0155] At step SC4, the fingerprint checker 1002 compares thefingerprint image read by the fingerprint reader 1003 and thefingerprint image corresponding to the fingerprint file in theindividual operator setting information database 1100 (see FIG. 11)sequentially. At step SC5, the fingerprint checker 1002 judges if thefingerprint input at step SC4 are authentic or not.

[0156] When the fingerprint image read by the fingerprint reader 1003and the fingerprint information corresponding to the fingerprint file(001. bmp) of the first record of the individual operator settinginformation database 1100 (see FIG. 11) are matched, the fingerprintchecker 1002 judges “Yes” at step SC5. If judged “No” at step SC5, theprocess goes back to step SC1 to judge again.

[0157] At step SC6, the controller 1001 designates the record of“operator ID”=001 and “operator name”=Taro Yamada as shown in FIG. 11.In this record, information is stored at step SC15 and step SC18. StepsSC7 to SC20 correspond to steps SA6 to SA19 shown in FIG. 7, anddetailed description is omitted.

[0158] The ordinary mode is explained. At step SC1 shown in FIG. 12, thecontroller 1001 shown in FIG. 10 judges if the individual operatorsetting information collecting command is entered from the operationpanel 104 or not, and it is judged “No” in this case. At step SC2, thecontroller 1001 executes the ordinary mode process.

[0159] That is, at step SD1 shown in FIG. 13, the fingerprint checker1002 judges if the fingerprint reader 1003 has read the fingerprint ofthe operator for the actual operation or not, and it is judged “No” inthis case, and the same judgment is repeated. When Mr. Yamada puts hisfinger on the fingerprint reader 1003, the fingerprint is read by thefingerprint reader 1003, and the information of the fingerprint image isput into the fingerprint checker 1002. As a result, the fingerprintchecker 1002 judges “Yes” at step SD1.

[0160] At step SD2, the fingerprint checker 11002 compares, same as atstep SC4 (see FIG. 12), the fingerprint image read by the fingerprintreader 1003 and the fingerprint image corresponding to the fingerprintfile in the individual operator setting information database 1100 (seeFIG. 11) sequentially. At step SD3, the fingerprint checker 1002 judgesif the result of fingerprint checking at step SD2 indicates that thefingerprint are authentic.

[0161] When the fingerprint image read by the fingerprint reader 1003and the fingerprint information corresponding to the fingerprint file(001.bmp) of the first record of the individual operator settinginformation database 1100 (see FIG. 11) are matched, the fingerprintchecker 1002 judges “Yes” at step SD3.

[0162] If judged “No” at step SD3, the process goes back to step SC1shown in FIG. 12 to judge again. Steps SD4 to SD9 correspond to stepsSB3 to SB8 shown in FIG. 8, and detailed description is omitted.

[0163] As described herein, according to the second embodiment, usingthe fingerprint checking result about the operator as the trigger, sincethe individual operating setting information about the IC card 400 iswritten and read, the security can be enhanced.

[0164] Incidentally, in the barcode reading operation by the operator,due to habitual manner of holding the article, there may be a statisticdeviation in the beam (reflected beam) actually used for barcodedemodulation out of three beams B1, B2, and B3 (reflected beams R1, R2,and R3) shown in FIG. 1.

[0165] For example, in the case of a certain operator, beam B1(reflected beam R1) is used for barcode demodulation. In the case ofother operator, by contrast, beam B2 (reflected beam R2) is mostfrequently used for barcode demodulation.

[0166] In the first embodiment, the information of the beam mostfrequently used due to operator's habitual manner may be also added tothe individual operator setting information. Such a case is explained asa third embodiment below.

[0167] In the third embodiment, the optical unit 200 shown in FIG. 3 isreplaced by an optical unit 1200 shown in FIG. 14. In FIG. 14, sameparts as in FIG. 3 are identified with same reference numerals. In thediagram, boundary laser detectors 1201 ₁ to 1201 ₄ are newly provided.These boundary laser detectors 1201 ₁ to 1201 ₄ detect the boundarylaser light corresponding to the mutual border line of beams B1 to B3.Herein, the boundary laser light is laser light L2.

[0168] The boundary laser detector 1201 ₁ is disposed near one side of amirror 2061, and receives boundary laser light (laser light L2) andissues as beam boundary signal Ss1. The boundary laser detector 12012 isdisposed between the mirror 206 ₁ and mirror 206 ₂, and when receivingboundary laser light (laser light L2), it issues beam boundary signalSs2.

[0169] The boundary laser detector 1201 ₃ is disposed between the mirror206 ₂ and mirror 206 ₃, and when receiving boundary laser light (laserlight L2), it issues beam boundary signal Ss3. The boundary laserdetector 1201 ₄ is disposed near other side of the mirror 206 ₃, andreceives boundary laser light (laser light L2) and issues as beamboundary signal Ss4.

[0170] The phase relation of the beam boundary signals Ss1 to Ss4 isdeviated by the portion of beam irradiation time T as shown in FIG. 16.Beam B1 is emitted in a period between pulse rise time t1 of beamboundary signal Ss1 and pulse rise time t2 of beam boundary signal Ss2.

[0171] Somewhere between pulse rise time t1 and pulse rise time t2, whenbeam B1 reflected by the article barcode, the reflected beam detector205 (see FIG. 2) issues a reflected beam signal Sr1 corresponding to thereflected beam R1.

[0172] Therefore, by comparing the phase of the beam boundary signal Ss1and beam boundary signal Ss2 and the phase of the reflected beam Sr1,the beam B1 used in barcode demodulation out of beams B1 to B3 can beidentified.

[0173] Also, in a period between pulse rise time t2 of beam boundarysignal Ss2 and pulse rise time t3 of beam boundary signal Ss3, beam B2is emitted. Somewhere between pulse rise time t2 and pulse rise time t3,when beam B2 reflected by the article barcode, the reflected beamdetector 205 (see FIG. 2) issues a reflected beam signal Sr2corresponding to the reflected beam R2.

[0174] Therefore, by comparing the phase of the beam boundary signal Ss2and beam boundary signal Ss3 and the phase of the reflected beam Sr2,the beam B2 used in barcode demodulation out of beams B1 to B3 can beidentified.

[0175] Similarly, in a period between pulse rise time t3 of beamboundary signal Ss3 and pulse rise time t4 of beam boundary signal Ss4,beam B3 is emitted. Somewhere between pulse rise time t3 and pulse risetime t4, when beam B3 reflected by the article barcode, the reflectedbeam detector 205 (see FIG. 2) issues a reflected beam signal Sr3corresponding to the reflected beam R3.

[0176] Therefore, by comparing the phase of the beam boundary signal Ss3and beam boundary signal Ss4 and the phase of the reflected beam Sr3,the beam B3 used in barcode demodulation out of beams B1 to B3 can beidentified.

[0177]FIG. 15 is a block diagram of electric configuration of the thirdembodiment. In this figure, same parts as in FIG. 4, FIG. 14, and FIG.16 are identified with same reference numerals. In the diagram, thebarcode reader 100 shown in FIG. 4 is replaced by a barcode reader 1300.In this barcode reader 1300, the controller 111 and optical unit 200shown in FIG. 4 are replaced by a controller 1301 and an optical unit1200 (see FIG. 14).

[0178] Further, in the third embodiment, instead of the individualoperator setting information database 800 shown in FIG. 6, an individualoperator setting information database 1400 shown in FIG. 17 is stored inthe memory unit 114.

[0179] The controller 1301, same as the controller 111 (see FIG. 4),controls output of laser light L1 in the laser generator 201 (see FIG.2), controls payment according to demodulated data from the barcodedemodulator 110, and controls communications with outside. Further, thecontroller 1301 also execute processing of setting the frequent beam asthe individual operator setting information as described below.

[0180] The individual operator setting information database 1400 shownin FIG. 17 is a database for storing the individual operator settinginformation corresponding to personal features of the operator such asthe rhythm, habitual manner, preference, etc. The individual operatorsetting information database 1400 has fields for “operator ID”,“operator name”, “operation interval”, “reading time”, “double read bantime”, “volume”, “tone”, “frequent beam”, etc.

[0181] The “operator name”, “operation interval”, “reading time”,“double read ban time”, “volume”, and “tone” are synonymous with the“operator name”, “operation interval”, “reading time”, “double read bantime”, “volume”, and “tone” of the individual operator settinginformation database 800 shown in FIG. 6.

[0182] The “frequent beam” is the information about the beam mostfrequently used in actual barcode demodulation out of beams B1 to B3,due to the habitual manner of the operator when operating to read thearticle barcode. The reflected beam signal corresponding to thisfrequent beam is higher in reliability in barcode demodulation ascompared with the reflected beam signals corresponding to the otherbeams.

[0183] The operation of the third embodiment is explained below whilereferring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 18. The individual operatorsetting information collecting mode and the ordinary mode are explainedbelow.

[0184] The individual operator setting information collecting mode isexplained in the first place. When collecting the individual operatorsetting information about Mr. Yamada (see FIG. 22A) as the operator, theindividual operator setting information collecting command is enteredfrom the operation panel 104. As a result, the controller 1301 judges“Yes” at step SE1 shown in FIG. 18.

[0185] At step SE3, the controller 1301 judges if the operator barcode301 is read or not, and it is judged “No” in this case. At step SE4, thecontroller 1301 judges if the operator ID corresponding to the operatoris entered from the operation panel 104 or not, and it is judged “No”,and the process goes to step SE3 to judge again.

[0186] When the operator barcode 301 is passed over the reading panel102, the operator barcode 301 is read according to the operationmentioned above. As a result, the controller 1301 judges “Yes” at stepSE3, and the process goes to step SE5.

[0187] Further, when the operator ID (for example, 001) corresponding toMr. Yamada is entered from the operation panel 104, the controller 1301judges “Yes” at step SE4, and the process goes to step SE5. At step SE5,same as at step SA5 (see FIG. 7), the information of operator ID (001 inthis case) and operator name (Taro Yamada) is stored in the individualoperator setting information database 1400 shown in FIG. 17.

[0188] At step SE6, same as at step SA6 (see FIG. 7), the controller1301 judges if the article barcode is read or not, and it is judged “No”in this case. The article barcode is given to each one of the pluralityof articles specially prepared for collection of individual operatorsetting information.

[0189] Hereinafter, the operator (Mr. Yamada) repeats the operation ofscanning the barcodes of the plurality of articles the plurality oftimes by the own rhythm. That is, when the first article is passed overthe reading panel 102 by the operator, any one of the beams B1, B2, andB3 is reflected by the article barcode of the article.

[0190] As a result, any reflected beam of the reflected beams R1, R2,and R3 is received in the reflected beam detector 205 (see FIG. 2) ofthe optical unit 200. Then, by the process mentioned above, themodulated data is issued from the barcode demodulator 110 into thecontroller 1301.

[0191] In consequence, the controller 1301 judges “Yes” at step SE6. Atstep SE7, the controller 1301, same as at step SA7 (see FIG. 7), storesthe information about the reading time about this article and theoperation interval (the reading interval between the preceding articlebarcode and the present article barcode) in a memory (not shown). Sincethis is the first article, however, the information of operationinterval is not held in the memory.

[0192] At step SE8, from the relation of the phase of beam boundarysignals Ss1 to Ss4 shown in FIG. 16 and the phase of reflected beam (oneof reflected beam signals Sr1 to Sr3) the beam (for example, beam B1)used in barcode demodulation out of beams B1 to B3 is specified.

[0193] At step SE9, the controller 1301 holds the beam (beam B1 in thiscase) specified at step SE8 in a memory (not shown). At step SE10, thecontroller 1301 judges if an end command is entered from the operationpanel 104 or not, and it is judged “No” in this case.

[0194] At step SE11, the controller 1301 judges if the next articlebarcode is read or not, and when the next article barcode is read, thecontroller 1301 judges “Yes” at step SE1.

[0195] At step SE12, same as at step SE7, the controller 1301 stores theinformation about the reading time about this article and the operationinterval (the reading interval between the preceding article barcode andthe present article barcode) in the memory (not shown).

[0196] Hereinafter, the same operation is repeated for the remainingarticles, and steps SE6 to SE12 are repeated. As a result, theinformation about the plurality of reading times and operation intervalsand the beam used in the barcode demodulation is held as measured valuesin the memory (not shown).

[0197] When an end command is entered from the operation panel 104, thecontroller 1301 judges “Yes” at step SE10. At step SE13, the controller1301 calculates the average operation intervals same as at step SA11(see FIG. 7).

[0198] At step SE14, the controller 1301 calculates the average readingtime same as at step SA12 (see FIG. 7). At step SE15, the controller1301 calculates the average double read ban time same as at step SA13(see FIG. 7). At step SE16, of the information of the plurality of beamsheld in the memory (not shown) at step SE9, the mostly frequently usedbeam is specified as the frequent beam (for example, beam B1).

[0199] At step SE17, the controller 1301 stores the information ofaverage operation interval, average reading time, average double readban time, and frequent beam calculated or specified at steps SE13 toSE16 in the records (“operation interval”, “reading time”, “double readban time”, and “frequent beam”) corresponding to the operator ID=001 andoperator name=Taro Yamada in the individual operator setting informationdatabase 1400 shown in FIG. 17.

[0200] At step SE18, the controller 1301 displays a volume and/or tonesetting screen 900 shown in FIG. 9 in the operation panel 104. At stepSE19, the controller 1301 judges if the set button 903 is pressed ornot, and it is judged “No” in this case, and the same judgement isrepeated.

[0201] When the operator (Mr. Yamada) presses the set button 903 afterselecting the volume and tone in the specified operation, the controller1301 judges “Yes” at step SE19.

[0202] At step SE20, the controller 1301 stores the information ofvolume “5” and tone “A” selected in the volume and/or tone settingscreen 900 in the records (“volume” and “tone”) corresponding to theoperator ID=001 and operator name Taro Yamada in the individual operatorsetting information database 1400 shown in FIG. 17.

[0203] At step SE21, the controller 1301 judges if an IC card isinserted in the IC card reader/writer 115 or not, and it is judged “Yes”in this case.

[0204] At step SE22, the controller 1301 controls the IC cardreader/writer 115, and writes the information (“operator ID” to “tone”,and “frequent beam”) of the first record of the individual operatorsetting information database 1400 shown in FIG. 17, in the IC card 400as the individual operator setting information about Mr. Yamada, andjudges at step SE1. Consequently, Mr. Yamada removes the IC card 400from the IC card reader/writer 115, and is used in actual operation.

[0205] The ordinary mode is explained. At step SE1 shown in FIG. 18, ifjudged “No”, the controller 1301 executes the ordinary mode processingat step SE2.

[0206] That is, at step SB1 shown in FIG. 8, the controller 1301 judgessame as at step SB1 and SB2. Supposing Mr. Yamada to be engaged in theoperation of the barcode reader 1300 as the operator, Mr. Yamada scansthe operator barcode 301 shown in FIG. 15 to be read by the barcodereader 1300. As a result, the controller 1301 judges “Yes” at step SB1,and executes the process at step SB3.

[0207] At step SB3, the controller 1301 judges if the IC card of theoperator is inserted in the IC card reader/writer 115 or not, and it isjudged “Yes” in this case. At step SB4, the controller 1301 checks theoperator ID same as explained above.

[0208] When checking results are matched at step SB4, the controller1301 judges “Yes” at step SB5. At step SB6, the controller 1301 readsthe individual operator setting information (“operation interval”=1.23sec, “reading time”=0.6 sec, “double read ban time”=0.63 sec,“volume”=5, “tone”=A, “frequent beam”=B1; see FIG. 17) from the IC card400. This individual operator setting information is the informationwritten in the IC card 400 at step SE22 shown in FIG. 18.

[0209] At step SB7, the controller 1301 stores the individual operatorsetting information read at step SB6 into a memory (not shown), and setsthe operation standard. As a result, the controller 1301, as thecontroller 111 (see FIG. 4), operates in the state corresponding to thepersonal features (rhythm, etc.) of Mr. Yamada on the basis of theoperation standard (individual operator setting information).

[0210] In the event of an error occurring during barcode demodulation,the controller 1301 controls to demodulate the barcode by the barcodedemodulator 110 by preferentially using the reflected beam signal (inthis case, the reflected beam signal Sr1) corresponding to the “frequentbeam” (in this case, beam B1).

[0211] In the third embodiment, it may be also controlled to demodulatethe barcode by the barcode demodulator 110 by always using the reflectedbeam signal (in this case, the reflected beam signal Sr1) correspondingto the “frequent beam” (in this case, beam B1).

[0212] As explained herein, according to the third embodiment, byspecifying the most frequently used beam out of the plurality of beamsB1 to B3 due to personal features (manner of holding an article, etc.)of the operator in operation, the article barcode is read by using thefrequent beam preferentially, so that the reliability of barcode readingmay be enhanced.

[0213] Moreover, before operation, since the beam information written inthe IC card 400 is read and the beam information is set, the convenienceof operators can be enhanced, for example, when operating a plurality ofbarcode readers by shifting every day.

[0214] The first to third embodiments of the invention are described indetail by referring to the accompanying drawings, but specific examplesare not limited to the first to third embodiment alone, but other designchanges and modifications without departing from the scope of theinvention are also included in the invention.

[0215] For example, in the first to third embodiment, various databasesare stored in the memory unit 114 (see FIG. 4, FIG. 10, and FIG. 15),but instead of the memory unit 114, various databases may be also storedin a memory unit 501 or a memory unit 601.

[0216] In the first to third embodiment, using the command input by theinput device 502 as the trigger, the individual operator settinginformation may be written in the IC card 400, or the individualoperator setting information may be read from the IC card 400. In thethird embodiment, also, it may be designed to check the fingerprint byusing the fingerprint checker 1002 and fingerprint reader 1003 shown inFIG. 10.

[0217] As described herein, according to the invention, by collectingthe individual operator setting information depending on personalfeatures of the operator in the operation, since it is designed tomonitor whether the operation conforms to the operation standard setaccording to the individual operator setting information correspondingto the operator before starting the operation, the operation standard issatisfied by the operation intrinsic to the specific operator, and thecode reading error rate is lowered and the operation efficiency israised.

[0218] Moreover, since at least the rhythm of the operator in operationis used as the personal features, the operator can operate by the ownsense of rhythm, and the code reading error rate is lowered, and theoperation efficiency is enhanced.

[0219] Furthermore, the operation standard is set either by theindividual operator setting information or default setting information,chances of user's choice are increased, and user's satisfaction can beenhanced.

[0220] Moreover, before operation, since the individual operator settinginformation written in a portable recording medium is read and theoperation standard is set on the basis of this individual operatorsetting information, the convenience of operators can be enhanced, forexample, when operating a plurality of barcode readers by shifting everyday.

[0221] Furthermore, using the authentication result about the operatoras the trigger, the individual operator setting information aboutportable recording medium is written and read, so that the security maybe enhanced.

[0222] Moreover, since the operator is allowed to set the preferredvolume and tone of specified sound, the operator does not feelunpleasant when hearing the specified sound during operation, and theoperation efficiency is enhanced, further contributing to reduction ofcode reading error rate.

[0223] Furthermore, before operation, since the information of volumeand tone written in a portable recording medium is read and thisinformation of volume and tone is set, the convenience of operators canbe enhanced, for example, when operating a plurality of barcode readersby shifting every day.

[0224] Moreover, by specifying the most frequently used beam out of theplurality of beams due to personal features of the operator inoperation, the code is read by using the specified beam preferentially,so that the reliability of code reading may be enhanced.

[0225] Although the invention has been described with respect to aspecific embodiment for a complete and clear disclosure, the appendedclaims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodyingall modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to oneskilled in the art which fairly fall within the basic teaching hereinset forth.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a reading unit whichreads a code given to a commodity; an individual operator settinginformation collecting unit which collects individual operator settinginformation depending on personal features of operators engaged inoperation for reading the code; a setting unit which sets operationstandard on the basis of the individual operator setting informationcorresponding to a specific operator before the operation; and amonitoring unit which monitors whether the operation relating to theoperator conforms to the operation standard or not.
 2. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the personal features are at least therhythm of the operator in the operation.
 3. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said setting unit sets the operation standard on thebasis of the uniformly determined default setting information regardlessof the individual operator setting information or personal features. 4.The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a writing unitwhich writes the individual operator setting information in a portablerecording medium corresponding to an operator; and a setting readingunit which reads the individual operator setting information from theportable recording medium before operation, wherein said setting unitdetermines the operation standard on the basis of the read individualoperator setting information.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4,further comprising an authenticating unit which checks authentication ofthe operator, wherein said writing unit and reading unit writes andreads by using the checking of said authenticating unit as the trigger.6. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a pronouncingunit which generates a specified sound depending on the state of theoperation, wherein said setting unit sets volume and/or tone informationof the specified sound desired by the operator in said pronouncing unit.7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said writing unit writesthe volume and/or tone information in said portable recording medium,said setting reading unit reads the volume and/or tone information fromsaid portable recording medium before operation, and said setting unitsets the read volume and/or tone information in said pronouncing unit.8. An apparatus comprising: a reading unit which reads a code given to acommodity by using at least one beam of the plurality of beams; and afrequent beam specifying unit which specifies the most frequently usedbeam of the plurality of beams owing to the personal features of theoperator in the operation for reading the code, wherein said readingunit reads the code by using the specified beam preferentially.
 9. Theapparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a writing unit whichwrites the information of the beam specified in a portable recordingmedium corresponding to the operator; and a setting reading unit whichreads the information of the beam from said portable recording mediumbefore operation, wherein said reading unit reads the code by using thebeam preferentially on the basis of the information of the read beam.10. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising anauthentication unit which checks authentication of the operator, whereinsaid writing unit performs writing and said reading unit performsreading with the result of authentication by said authenticating unit asa trigger.
 11. A method of reading a code given to a commodity,comprising the operations of: collecting individual operator settinginformation depending on personal features of operators engaged inoperation for reading the code; setting operation standard on the basisof the individual operator setting information corresponding to aspecific operator before the operation; and monitoring whether theoperation relating to the operator conforms to the operation standard ornot.
 12. A method of reading a code given to a commodity, comprising theoperations of: reading a code given to a commodity by using at least onebeam of the plurality of beams; and specifying the most frequently usedbeam of the plurality of beams owing to the personal features of theoperator in the operation for reading the code, wherein the code is readin the reading step by using the specified beam preferentially.
 13. Anapparatus for reading a code given to a commodity, said apparatuscomprising: a reading unit which reads pertinent individual operatorsetting information from a portable recording medium recordingindividual operator setting information depending on personal featuresof operators engaged in operation for reading the code; a setting unitwhich sets operation standard on the basis of the read individualoperator setting information; and a processing unit which processes thecode reading on the basis of the set operation standard.
 14. Anapparatus for reading a code given to a commodity, said apparatuscomprising: a storing unit which stores individual operator settinginformation depending on personal features of operators engaged inoperation for reading the code; a setting unit which sets operationstandard on the basis of the stored individual operator settinginformation; and a processing unit which processes the code reading onthe basis of the set operation standard.
 15. An apparatus for reading acode given to a commodity, said apparatus comprising: a collecting unitwhich collects individual operator setting information depending onpersonal features of operators engaged in operation for reading thecode; a setting unit which sets operation standard on the basis of thecollected individual operator setting information; and a processing unitwhich processes the code reading on the basis of the set operationstandard.